Gauri stood before the wedding photograph, her trembling fingers tracing the smiling faces of her parents. The hall glowed softly from the diya lights, yet her heart ached with a storm of emotions.
Her tears began to fall again. "When I was little," she whispered, her voice breaking, "I used to cry so much thinking my parents didn't want me…"
Everyone listened in silence, their hearts tightening with every word.
Gauri's lips trembled. "I thought… they threw me into that river because I was a burden they couldn't handle. Because they didn't love me."
Her voice cracked into sobs. "I hated that river for so long, Vihaan. Every time I saw water, I remembered the child I was — floating away, unwanted, abandoned."
She fell to her knees, clutching her heart as the memories overwhelmed her.
"But now…" she wept softly, "now I understand. They didn't abandon me — they saved me. They made a sacrifice so I could live."
Vihaan knelt beside her, his own eyes glistening. He gently cupped her face, lifting it toward him.
"Yes, Gauri," he said, his voice deep with emotion. "Your parents weren't weak… they were brave. They were Reevavanshis — witch hunters of the highest order. They gave you up because it was the only way to protect you from Kamini."
Gauri looked into his eyes through her tears, her lips trembling. "They loved me that much…"
Vihaan nodded, his own guilt surfacing. His hands dropped from her face as he whispered, "And I—" He swallowed hard, his voice shaking. "I've been part of your pain long before we ever met."
Gauri blinked in confusion, watching him as he slowly held his ears — a gesture of apology filled with remorse.
"The woman who gave birth to me," he said, his words trembling, "was the one who destroyed your parents. Kamini took everything from you… and I carry her blood."
Tears streamed down his face. "I've been ruining your life before destiny even crossed our paths."
Gauri's breath hitched — and then she shook her head fiercely.
"No, Vihaan," she said, grabbing his hands and pulling them down. "Don't ever say that."
She looked straight into his eyes, her voice filled with love and conviction.
"Kamini did everything. She was the monster, not you. You're not her son — not in soul, not in heart. You're Vihaan. You've always been mine — the man who saved me, not the one who hurt me."
Her words broke whatever guilt Vihaan had held onto. His face crumpled with emotion as Gauri threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
He held her just as fiercely, burying his face in her hair. The two of them clung to each other as if the world itself had disappeared — the curse, the pain, the darkness — all washed away by their tears.
The family stood around them, their eyes glistening. Veena placed a hand on Dadi's shoulder, whispering, "They've both carried so much… and finally, they're free."
Dadi nodded, her eyes misty. "Devi Maa brought them together to heal — not to suffer."
In that moment, as the temple bells chimed softly in the distance, Gauri and Vihaan's embrace became a silent prayer — a promise that love, not blood, defines who they are.
Upstairs, the soft golden light from the evening lamps filled Gauri and Charvi's room. Gauri sat near the dressing mirror while Charvi brushed her hair gently, both sisters still glowing from the earlier emotional reunion.
Charvi smiled through the mirror. "You know, Didi, it still feels unreal. You're really back… and safe."
Gauri turned slightly, smiling faintly. "Sometimes it feels like a dream, Charvi. Everything happened so fast — Kamini, the curse, the truth about my parents…" Her voice softened. "And now, all this peace… I don't even know if I deserve it."
Charvi frowned playfully. "Don't you dare say that! If anyone deserves peace in this house, it's you." She hugged her sister from behind, her chin resting on Gauri's shoulder. "You brought light back to this family, Didi. Even Devi Maa must be proud."
Gauri smiled at that, eyes glistening. "Maybe… maybe this time, Devi Maa really wants me to stay."
---
Downstairs, the mansion was filled with cheerful commotion. Fresh marigold garlands hung from every pillar, the fragrance of incense and rose petals filling the air.
Veena stood near the mandap with Dadi, watching the preparations. Her eyes softened with emotion.
"The last time Gauri entered this house," Veena said quietly, "I didn't even welcome her properly."
Dadi placed a hand on her shoulder. "You were misled then, Veena. Today, Devi Maa is giving you a chance to make it right."
Veena nodded, tears glimmering in her eyes. "This time, I want to do it the right way. With the whole family's blessings. Gauri deserves that — she deserves everything."
Sharda walked over, carrying a beautifully wrapped silk bag. "And she'll need this," she said warmly, handing the bag to Vihaan.
Vihaan looked curious. "What's this, Bade Maa?"
Sharda smiled. "It's a dress for Gauri — something special for her grihapravesh."
Vihaan blinked, surprised. "Her grihapravesh?"
Veena nodded, her face brightening through tears. "Yes, Vihaan. We're doing her proper grihapravesh* today — the one she never got before. Last time, I wasn't here to welcome her. This time, she'll enter this house again… as my daughter."
Vihaan's eyes lit up with joy, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "Thank you, Ma. You don't know how much this means to her… to us."
Sharda chuckled lightly, brushing his arm. "Then what are you waiting for? Go give this to her — tell her to wear it for the ceremony."
Vihaan nodded, holding the silk bag carefully. "Okay, Bade Maa," he said with a smile. "I'll make sure she wears it."
He turned toward the staircase, his heart light — for once, not with battle or fear, but with pure happiness. Upstairs, the woman he loved was waiting, unaware that destiny was about to rewrite her welcome into this home — not as an outsider, but as a daughter blessed by all.